Minister urges more consideration of heritage in development

Culture Minister Linda Fabiani MSP is urging the country’s developers and architects to consider the built heritage as an avenue for future developments.

Speaking after the Scottish Design Awards where she presented the award of Best Re-use of a Listed Building Award, sponsored by Historic Scotland, the Minister said:

“I am greatly encouraged by the caliber of the shortlist in the category and enthusiastic about Scotland’s heritage playing an integral part of a vibrant and modern nation.

“Scotland’s historic environment is being preserved by architects that undertake the challenge of restoring buildings. Re-using our historic buildings is a sustainable approach to development and breathes new life into what is an important asset to Scotland as a whole.”

Best Re-use of a Listed Building Award went to Elder and Cannon Architect for Castlemilk Stables. Glasgow Building Preservation Trust took over the B-listed former Stable block and carried out repair and conversion for community ownership and use as offices, training facilities, meeting spaces and childcare facilities.

The minister added: “The nominees for this award are an inspiration to future developers looking to restore listed buildings in Scotland. More importantly, I hope this encourages those, within the industry, to appreciate the flexibility of historic buildings and view re-use as an opportunity rather than an obstacle

The short list included 110 St Vincent Street in Glasgow which Scarborough Development Group developed the property into office space and involved the highly intricate façade retention and insertion of added floor space within the original shell and re-installation of the significant marble columned banking hall.

Eden Court Theatre in Inverness was designed to be a civic centre for the Highlands for drama, music and conferences. Page and Park has extended building.

Gardyne’s Land is a group of three A-listed buildings in Dundee and has been transformed into a backpacker’s hostel by Simpson and Brown Architects.

Shetland’s Hays Dock - a former fishing dock - is now the setting for a museum becoming a focal point for the community and visitors.

Notes for editors

Details of the event and photographs from the event can be found at www.thedrum.co.uk.

Over 530 architects and designers attended the event and twenty seven trophies were awarded to those who met the high standards set by the judges.

Castlemilk Stables was officially opened by the Lord Provost of Glasgow in the presence of Linda Fabiani MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture on the 31st August 2007

Scottish Design Awards dinner was on Friday 16th May 2008 at The Corn Exchange, Edinburgh

Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament.